Were Warner and Smith involved in ball-tampering in 2016?
What's the story
A shocking report in the Sydney Morning Herald claims that a match referee had warned about Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner being involved in ball-tampering in domestic cricket during the Sheffield Shield in 2016. The report has surfaced after Warner and Smith were banned for a year by Cricket Australia for the premeditated cheating in the 3rd Test against South Africa.
No action taken
Match referee warns Cricket Australia about the Aussie duo
Match referee Daryl Harper had warned that the duo were involved in ball-tampering while playing for New South Wale in November 2016. Daryl Harper wrote an email to Cricket Australia's match referee and umpire selection manager Simon Taufel highlighting the issue. However, no action was taken against them. This incident happened at the same time Faf du Plessis was pulled up for ball tampering.
Remorse
Smith breaks down during emotional press conference
Smith held an emotional press conference on Thursday after returning back home from South Africa. He broke down several times while speaking about his 12-month ban. Coach Darren Lehmann also stated that he would be stepping down from his post as head coach after the 4th and final Test against South Africa. Warner will address the media in Sydney on Saturday.